Benedict Cumberbatch voiced a Morrissey-esque animated singer on The Simpsons last night (April 18th). The character named Quilloughby is a depressed British pop singer from the 1980s who becomes Lisa Simpson’s imaginary friend. The episode was titled “Panic on the Streets of Springfield,” a parody of Smiths’ 1986 single “Panic”. Find two clips from the episode below.
As he wrote on social media, Flight of the Conchords’ Bret McKenzie co-wrote the Faux Morrissey songs featured in the episode with Tim Long. McKenzie wrote that he “woke up at 3am in New Zealand to record the sultry singing of Benedict Cumberbatch in London and zoom in on some sweet harmonies in LA with Yeardley Smith.” Find his full post below.
“The hatred the creators of The Simpsons have shown against me is obviously a mocking lawsuit, but it requires more money than I could possibly raise to challenge me,” Morrissey replied to the episode in an open letter. “I also don’t have a determined group of legal practitioners willing to overthrow. I think this is widely understood and is why I am attacked so carelessly and loudly. “
A post on Morrissey’s official Facebook page attributed to manager Peter Katsis criticized “panic on the streets of Springfield” after the episode of The Simpsons aired. “Unfortunately, The Simpson’s show began by providing great insights into the modern cultural experience, but has since degenerated into an attempt to capitalize on cheap controversy and explain malicious rumors,” the post reads. In addition, the contribution criticizes the makers of The Simpsons for “[using] harsh hateful tactics like showing the Morrissey character with his belly hanging out of his shirt. “
A trailer for the Smiths-inspired film Shoplifters of the World was released last month. Directed and written by Stephen Kijak, the film is based on a largely embellished story about a distraught Smiths fan who held a Denver radio station hostage at gunpoint in the 1980s and demanded that the DJs only play Smiths songs.
Revisit “Does the Mexican-American community still love Morrissey after all?” on that place.
This article was originally published on April 19 at 10:02 am Central. It was last updated on April 19 at 8:48 p.m. Central.
